Vibration actuated toy



June 27, 1950 H. Y. ARMSTRONG VIBRATION ACTUATED Toy Filed May 8, 1946 Patented .lune 27,**1950 UNITED STATES PATENT' 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in toys, and has as an object an amusement device particularly economical to manufacture, simple to operate, and which will afford considerable amusement.

More specifically, the invention has as an object a device of the character referred to cornprising two parts which are cooperable upon relative rotatable movement to produce a sound closely imitatingv a canary bird, and one of the parts being provided with a rotating member, rotation of which is effected by the vibratory action created when the parts are rotated in frictional engagement.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a vertical, sectional view of a device embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view, similar to Figure 1, with the plug member shown in side elevation.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the plug member.

The device consists of a block and plug cooperable upon relative rotation to produce a relatively high pitch sound of varying frequency which closely imitates the chirping of a song bird, such as a canary bird.

The block I is formed with a tapering socketV II. Preferably, the inner end of the socket communicates with a cylindrical passage I2 extending through the block. The block and the plug I3 may be formed of hard wood, or the like, and if formed from wood, the axis of the tapering socket II preferably extends parallel to the grain of the wood.

The plug I3 is provided with an end portion having a plurality of ribs I4 extending on a taper complemental to the taper of the socket II. As here shown, the ribs I4 are provided by forming the plug from square stock, although it will be apparent Ythat the plug may be formed from round stock and the end portion grooved to provide ridges or ribs.

When the plug I3 is inserted in the socket II, pressed into frictional engagement therewith and rotated, the ribs I4 are cooperable to effect a vibratory movement which produces the sound effect previously referred to. The sound effect may be augmented by forming the plug with a passage I5 extending lengthwise of the plug and opening through the tapered end portion between a pair of the ribs I4.

A stem I8 is fixedly secured at one end to the block I0 and a rotating member I9, in the nature of a cardboard disk, is journalled on the outer end of the stem, as by being freely mounted upon a pin 20. The vibratory effect produced by the block I0 and the plug I3 causes vibration to travel through the stem I8 and this, in turn, eiiects rotation of the disk I9 after the manner of the well known Indian stick, or whirligig toys.

I have found that the vibration transmission is particularly effective if the stem I8 is tightly secured in a slot extending transversely across the end of the plug opposite the socket II With this arrangement, the disk I9 is caused to rotate rapidly simultaneously with the production of the sound effect.

The device is particularly suitable for small children in that it is easily manipulated and the structure is such as not likely to cause any harm to children.

What I claim is:

l. A toy comprising a cooperating block and plug formed of wood or the like, said block being provided with a tapering socket, and said plug having a tapered end portion adapted to be rotated in frictional engagement with said socket, said end portion being formed with a taper complernental to the taper of said socket, a plurality of longitudinal ribs on said tapered end portion, and a longitudinal passage extending through said plug and' opening through the side wall of said tapered end portion.

2. A toy comprising a cooperating block and plug formed of wood or the like, said block being provided with a tapering socket and said plug being formed with a tapered end portion adapted to be rotated in frictional engagement with said socket and having a taper complemental to the taper of said socket, a stem rigidly secured to the block and extending laterally therefrom, and a member freely journalled on the outer end of said stem.

3. A toy comprising a cooperating block and plug formed of wood or the like, said block being provided with a tapering socket in one end and said plug being formed with a tapered c nd portion complemental to the taper of said socket and adapted to be rotated in frictional engagement therewith, a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending on said tapered end portion of the plug, said block being formed at the opposite end thereof 3 with a recess extending transversely of the axis of said socket, a stem member xedly secured in said recess and extending laterally from the block, and a, movable member freely journalled on the outer end of said stem.

HARRY Y. ARMSTRONG.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date West Nov. 17, 1896 Cruver Sept. 8, 1914 Rovensky June 11, 1918 Dayton Apr. 29, 1924 Moftt Oct. 30, 1934 

